Monday, 8 June 2015

Yesterday in our local park there was a charity race to raise funds for families of children affected by cancer. Throughout the day people queued up to make their donation and take part in the event. There were hundreds of runners of every shape, size and ability; and dozens of nationalities.

There was no winner as such. In fact there was no race in the sense of laurels going to the fastest runner. The idea was simply to collect a sticker from a race marshall at the completion of every 1.5 kms lap. Sponsors would donate a some of money per sticker per runner.

The important thing was to drink plenty of fluids and run at a steady pace one could maintain in order to reach one's personal target, be it one lap or many laps, in the hot and humid weather. As you can see I managed to collect 14 stickers (14 laps / completed distance 21 kms).

As one gets older one must allow longer periods for rest and recovery. When I was younger I ran 5 or 6 times per week. Nowadays I run 3 or 4 times per week. Now having completed a half marathon equivalent I must take two days off from running in order for my body to recover fully and thereby avoid injury.